JP2006039336A - Image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus constituted so that jamming processing can be easily performed at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling so that a nip formed by a carrying roller and a carrying roll may be released by a nip releasing means when jamming is detected by a jamming detecting means, and the operation of the nip releasing means is stopped by the control means after the nip releasing means continuously operates for a prescribed time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine, which includes a conveyance device that conveys a recording medium.

  An image recording apparatus that records an image using an electrophotographic method, an ink jet recording method, or the like supplies a recording medium stored in a paper feed tray or the like to form an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet or a recording sheet. One sheet is fed out using a conveying device such as a paper device.

  The recording medium sent out from the conveying device is temporarily stopped by a registration device or the like at a position immediately before the image forming unit such as a recording head, and alignment of the position and direction is performed. Thereafter, the recording medium is sent toward the image forming unit.

  The transport device includes, for example, a plurality of transport roller devices provided in a paper transport path from the paper feed tray or the like, and each transport roller device is provided with a pair of transport rollers facing each other, and the recording medium is formed by the transport roller pair. Carry in the state of nip.

  One transport roller in the transport roller pair is brought into contact with the other transport roller by an urging means such as a spring, and a predetermined nip pressure is secured. Accordingly, the transport roller device can smoothly transport the recording medium with a sufficient frictional force.

  When a jam (paper jam) occurs in the recording medium in such a conveying device, the jammed paper stops in a state where it is firmly nipped by the conveying roller device, so that the jammed paper cannot be pulled out easily. Also, if the jammed paper is forcibly pulled out in this state, the jammed paper may be torn off and remain in the inner part of the printing apparatus, and the subsequent jam handling operation becomes more difficult or impossible.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a mechanism for releasing the nip when a jam occurs is provided. That is, a jam is detected by the jam detection means, and the nip is automatically released by the detection signal of the jam detection means, thereby facilitating the jam processing operation.

JP-A-6-001492

  However, in the image recording apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the nip is released, the conveyance roller pair is separated against a strong nip force, and thus a large load is applied to the holding member of the conveyance roller pair. Therefore, the holding member is designed to withstand the load even when it is necessary to maintain the nip release state for a long time, and a relatively expensive high-strength member is used.

  For this reason, the image recording apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a problem that the manufacturing cost such as the parts cost is high.

  The present invention was devised to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate the jam processing while suppressing the manufacturing cost.

  The present invention includes a conveyance roller that is rotationally driven to convey a recording medium along a conveyance path, a conveyance roller that presses against the conveyance roller and generates a nip pressure between the conveyance roller, and a conveyance roller Urging means for urging the conveying roller, nip releasing means for separating the conveying roller from the conveying roller against the urging means, and detecting that the recording medium is retained in the conveying path An image recording apparatus comprising: a jam detection unit that controls the nip release unit in accordance with a predetermined sequence when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit; When the nip releasing means operates continuously for a predetermined time, the operation of the nip releasing means is stopped.

  According to the present invention, jam processing can be facilitated while manufacturing costs are reduced.

Next, a preferred embodiment of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a recording medium transport device 50 in the first embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a recording medium conveyance device 50 includes a pair of a conveyance roller 1 that conveys a sheet material S that is a sheet-like recording medium and a conveyance roller 2 that is in pressure contact with the conveyance roller 1. It is conveyed in the direction of arrow 16 by a pair of roller 1 and conveyance roller 2.

  On the downstream side of the pair of the conveyance roller 1 and the conveyance roller 2, a discharge roller (roller) 3 that discharges the sheet material S to the outside of the recording medium conveyance device 50, and a discharge roller (pressing member) that presses the roller 3 ) A pair with 4 is provided.

  The conveying roller 1 is made of a material having a high friction coefficient on the outer peripheral surface, and the conveying roller 2 is pressed against the conveying roller 1 with a strong force by a spring 27 (FIG. 3) as an urging means and is nipped. The sheet material S is configured not to slip as much as possible with respect to the conveying roller 1. Thereby, the conveyance accuracy of the sheet material S is ensured.

  On the other hand, the pair of the discharge roller 3 and the discharge roller 4 slips more than the pair of the transfer roller 1 and the transfer roller 2 so as not to hinder the transfer accuracy of the transfer roller 1 and the transfer roller 2 pair. It is configured to be easy to do.

  A lever 7 is pivotally attached to the guide plate 12 by a shaft 7a at one end thereof so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The other end of the lever 7 is urged toward the paper discharge roller 3 by a spring 27. As a result, the discharge roller 4 is urged toward the discharge roller 3 with an appropriate pressure contact force.

  The recording medium transport device 50 is provided with horizontal guide plates 12 and 13 from the upstream side of the pair of the transport roller 1 and the transport roller 2 to the downstream side of the pair of the paper discharge roller 3 and the paper discharge roller 4. A conveyance path 15 is formed, and the sheet material S is carried into the conveyance path 15 in the direction of the arrow 16 from the upstream side of the pair of the conveyance roller 1 and the conveyance roller 2. The pair of the discharge roller 3 and the discharge roller 4 discharges the sheet material S out of the recording medium conveyance device 50 along the conveyance path 15.

  In the vicinity of the pair of the transport roller 1 and the transport roller 2 between the pair of the transport roller 1 and the transport roller 2 and the pair of the paper discharge roller 3 and the paper discharge roller 4, the sheet material S passes. A PE (paper edge) sensor 5 for detecting the presence or absence is arranged, and in the vicinity of the PE sensor 5, a PE lever 6 pivotally supported about a shaft 6a is arranged.

  The PE lever 6 is rotated by the passage of the sheet material S to actuate the PE sensor 5, opens the detection unit 5 a of the PE sensor 5 when the sheet material S passes, and detects the PE sensor 5 when there is no sheet material S. It operates so as to shield the part 5a.

  Further, the recording medium conveying apparatus 50 is provided with a nip releasing mechanism 60 (FIG. 3) as a nip releasing means, and the nip releasing mechanism 60 releases the nip by separating the conveying roller 2 from the conveying roller 1.

  Also, the PE lever 6 can be disposed upstream of the transport roller 1 in the transport direction.

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the sheet material S remains due to a jam or the like in the recording medium conveyance device 50 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the sheet material S rotates the PE lever 6, and the PE lever 6 opens the detection unit 5 a of the PE sensor 5.

  FIG. 3 is a side view showing the nip releasing mechanism in the recording medium conveying apparatus 50.

  In FIG. 3, as described above, the shaft 2 a is biased downward by the spring 27, so that the transport roller 2 is pressed against the transport roller 1.

  The nip release mechanism 60 is connected to the transport roller 2 of the recording medium transport device 50 and appropriately drives the transport roller 2 to release the nip pressure with the transport roller 1.

  The nip release mechanism 60 includes an arm member 30 that contacts the lower surface of the shaft 2a of the transport roller 2, and the arm member 30 is rotatably supported by the shaft 30a. The shaft 30a is supported by the guide plate 12, for example.

  The arm member 30 is formed in a substantially L shape, and includes a first member 30b extending substantially upward from the shaft 30a and a second member 30c extending substantially horizontally from the shaft 30a toward the shaft 2a. The second member 30c is in contact with the shaft 2a at the tip.

  The upper end portion of the first member 30b is connected to the solenoid 32 via the link 31, and when the first member 30b is rotated in the horizontal direction by the solenoid 32, the second member 30c is rotated in the vertical direction, and the shaft 2a is rotated. Can push up. This state is a state where the nip releasing mechanism 60 is operated.

  As a result, the nip pressure is released, and jamming in the transport path 15 is facilitated.

  Here, the situation when the sheet material S stays in the conveyance path 15 and a jam is detected will be described.

  When the sheet material S stays in the process in which the sheet material S is conveyed through the conveyance path 15, the PE lever 6 is held in a state of being rotated by the sheet material S as shown in FIG. The part 5a remains open.

  When the open state of the detection unit 5a of the PE sensor 5 is held for a predetermined time or more, a control device (not shown) that is a control unit provided in the image recording apparatus detects an abnormality in the recording medium conveyance device 50, and Jam of the sheet material S is determined. That is, the PE sensor and the control device constitute jam detecting means.

  Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus and the jam processing operation method when a jam of the sheet material S is detected will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of jam processing according to the first embodiment.

  Step S101: First, by detecting a jam of the sheet material S, the processing from S102 onward is executed.

  Step S102: Following step S101, the nip release mechanism 60 operates to release the nip pressure.

  Step S103: Following step S102, it is also possible to notify the user as an error message that the sheet material S has jammed using the information transmission means. Means for notifying the user as information transmission means, for example, displays an error message on an operation panel in a copier, and displays a message in a pop-up window of a printer driver or the like in a printer connected to a personal computer. Further, a jam handling operation method may be displayed together with the error message. By including this operation step, the user operability is improved.

  Next, the user performs jam processing such as the removal work of the sheet material S. At this time, since the nip pressure is released in step S102, the user can easily pull out the sheet material S, and jamming is easy.

  In the first embodiment, the pressure contact between the paper discharge roller 3 and the paper discharge roller 4 is not released. However, the paper discharge roller portion is configured to make the sheet material slip more easily than the conveyance roller portion. Even if the press contact is not released, it does not become an obstacle to the jam processing.

  Step S104: When the sheet material S is removed by the jam processing, the PE sensor 5 is shielded as shown in FIG. 1, and the image recording apparatus detects that the jam has been eliminated.

  Step S105: It should be noted that if the user does not perform jam processing even though a jam error is displayed in step S103, it is checked whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Step S106: When it is determined in step S105 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the nip release mechanism 60 is released and the nip is returned to the original state. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a long load of the arm member 30 at the time of releasing the nip from being maintained for a long time, and problems such as deformation of the arm member 30 do not occur.

  Step S107: When the nip pressure is recovered in Step S106, the jam processing returns to a difficult state. Therefore, the reprocessing method is urged to prompt the user to return to the state where the jam processing is easy again. Display a message.

  As a reprocessing method, for example, an operation key as a second operation unit can be depressed in a copying machine, and an operation from a printer driver can be performed in a printer connected to a personal computer.

  Step S111: When the user executes the reprocessing instructed in step S107, the process returns to step S102, the nip is released again, and the jam processing operation after step S103 is possible.

  Step S108: When it is determined in step S104 that the jam has been resolved, the operation of the nip release mechanism 60 is stopped, the nip pressure is returned to the original state, and the normal recording medium conveyance state is restored.

  Step S109: Following the step S108, the error display is canceled.

  Step S110: The series of jam processing flow is terminated, and the normal state is restored.

  On the other hand, there is a possibility that the user turns off the power in a state where the nip is released and an error message is displayed (step S103). In this case, before entering the normal power-off sequence (not shown), it is possible to stop the operation of the nip release mechanism 60 and to return the nip to its original state. This prevents the nip release mechanism 60 from operating and leaving the arm member 30 under stress.

  The nip release mechanism applied to the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3. For example, the shaft 30 a of the arm member 30 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and a reduction gear train, and the shaft 30 a The structure etc. which rotate the arm member 30 by rotation can also be employ | adopted.

  With the configuration described above, jam handling when a jam occurs is easy and operability is high. In addition, when a jam occurs, jam processing can be performed without any operation, and the user's operation is completed simply by pulling out the recording medium. That is, the user's jam handling operation is simplified to the maximum.

  Further, a state in which a large load is generated in the nip release mechanism at the time of nip release does not last for a long time, and there is no problem such as the arm member 30 undergoing creep deformation.

That is, it is possible to improve both the jam handling operability and the cost reduction.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a side view showing the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, an opening 70 that can be accessed from the outside is opened at a position near the conveying roller 1 in the cover 76 of the image recording apparatus, and the opening 70 can be opened and closed. Covered with a cover 72. The cover 72 is attached to the cover 76 by a hinge 74 or the like.

  Further, the cover 76 is provided with an open / close sensor 78 that detects the opening / closing of the cover 72.

  As a result, jamming can be easily performed by inserting a tool or fingers directly in the vicinity of the conveying roller 1, such as when the sheet material S breaks inside or cannot be pulled out from the outside. Further, since opening / closing of the cover 72 can be detected by the opening / closing sensor 78, the timing of the nip releasing / returning can be controlled more finely by interlocking with the opening / closing of the cover 72 and the nip releasing operation, and the time taken to load the nip releasing mechanism 60 can be reduced. Can be shorter. That is, the cover 72 is provided as a first operation unit that releases the nip after detecting a jam.

  Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus and the jam processing operation after a paper jam is detected in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of jam processing in the second embodiment.

  Step S201: First, a paper jam is detected with the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

  Step S202: Here, notifying the user of the occurrence of a jam error without releasing the nip immediately, opening the cover 72 and performing jam processing to the user, and closing the cover 72 after the jam processing ends. Instruct the user. As in the first embodiment, these means are, for example, an operation panel for a copying machine and a pop-up window for a printer driver for a printer.

  Step S203: Here, the user opens the cover 72 as the first operation unit in accordance with the instruction of Step S202.

  Step S204: When the cover 72 is opened in step S203, the open / close sensor 78 detects this, and the nip release mechanism 60 operates based on this detection signal. As a result, the nip pressure is released.

  Step S205: Following step S204, it is determined whether the user has removed the jammed sheet material S and closed the cover 72. Whether or not the cover 72 is closed is determined based on a signal from the open / close sensor 78. When the cover 72 is closed, the process proceeds to step S209, and when the cover 72 is not closed, the process proceeds to step S206.

  Step S206: When the user leaves the cover 72 open, it monitors whether or not a predetermined time has passed, as in the first embodiment. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S205, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S207.

  Step S207: When the predetermined time has elapsed, the operation of the nip release mechanism 60 is stopped to return the nip to the original state, and the process proceeds to Step S208.

  Step S208: The user is prompted to perform a reprocessing operation, and the process proceeds to step S203. An example of the reprocessing operation is to close the cover 72 once and then reopen it.

  Step S209: After detecting that the cover 72 is closed following step S205, the nip is returned to the original state.

  Step S210: It is confirmed whether or not the paper jam has been eliminated by the PE sensor 5. If the paper jam has been eliminated, the process proceeds to step S211. If jammed paper remains in the recording medium transport device 50 due to inappropriate user operation, etc., the process returns to step S202 to display an error again and display an instruction to the user. To do.

  Step S211: If it is detected in step S210 that the jam has been resolved, the jam processing flow is terminated.

  If the user performs a power-off operation with the cover 72 opened (the nip is released), the operation of the nip releasing means 60 is stopped as in the first embodiment. Execute the power off sequence.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, by interlocking the cover 72 and the nip release mechanism 60, the nip release mechanism 60 does not operate until the user performs a jam processing operation, and the jam processing ends. The operation of the nip release mechanism 60 is stopped by the operation of closing the cover 72 immediately thereafter. Therefore, the time for which the arm member 30 is stressed can be shortened as much as possible.

  Further, since the cover 72 can be opened and closed, the vicinity of the conveying roller 1 can be directly accessed, so that even when jammed paper remains in the back of the apparatus, the jam handling operation is facilitated.

  In the second embodiment, the nip release and return operations are configured using the opening / closing operation of the cover 72 as a trigger, but other configurations may be provided as the second operation unit. For example, other user operation means such as an operation key provided on the image recording apparatus main body or an operation screen of a printer driver displayed on the personal computer in the image recording apparatus connected to the personal computer or the like is used as the second operation unit. 2 The nip may be released in conjunction with the operation unit.

  In this embodiment, the cover 72 is provided on the side surface of the image recording apparatus, but a cover may be provided on the upper surface or the front surface.

1 is a side view showing a recording medium conveyance device in a first embodiment of an image recording device according to the present invention. (First embodiment) FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a recording medium remaining state of the recording medium conveyance device in FIG. 1. (First embodiment) FIG. 2 is a side view showing a nip release mechanism in the recording medium conveyance device of FIG. 1. (First embodiment) 3 is a flowchart illustrating jam processing in the recording medium conveyance device in FIG. 1. (First embodiment) It is a flowchart which shows the jam processing of the recording medium conveying apparatus in 2nd Embodiment of the image recording apparatus which concerns on this invention. (Second Embodiment) It is a side view which shows the recording-medium conveying apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. (Second Embodiment)

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyance roller 2 Conveyance roller 5 PE sensor 5a Detection part 6 PE lever 12, 13 Guide plate 15 Conveyance path 27 Spring 30 Arm member 30a Shaft 32 Solenoid 50 Sheet material conveyance apparatus S Sheet material

Claims (9)

A transport roller that is driven to rotate and transports the recording medium along the transport path;
A conveying roller that presses against the conveying roller and generates a nip pressure with the conveying roller;
Urging means for urging the conveying roller against the conveying roller;
Nip releasing means for separating the conveying roller from the conveying roller against the biasing means;
A jam detecting means for detecting that a recording medium stays in the transport path;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an operation of the nip release unit when a jam is detected by the jam detection unit;
The image recording apparatus characterized in that the control means stops the operation of the nip releasing means after the nip releasing means has been operated continuously for a predetermined time. The control means operates the nip release means when the occurrence of a jam is detected by the jam detection means, and stops the operation of the nip release means when the jam detection is detected by the jam detection means. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. A first operation unit that can be operated by a user;
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein after the operation of the nip release unit is stopped by the continuous operation for the predetermined time, the user operates the first operation unit and then operates the nip release unit again. 2. The image recording apparatus according to 2. It further comprises information transmission means for the user,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein after the operation of the nip release unit is stopped by the continuous operation for the predetermined time, the information transmission unit prompts the user to perform an operation by the first operation unit. A second operation unit that can be operated by the user;
The control means operates the nip release means after a jam is detected by the jam detection means and the user operates the second operation section. During the operation of the nip release means, the second operation section is operated. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the nip releasing unit is stopped after the user operates again. An opening that can expose the transport path to the outside;
A cover for closing the opening;
Open / close detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the cover,
The said cover is said 1st operation part, The said nip cancellation | release means is operated by opening the said cover, The operation | movement of the said nip cancellation | release means stops by closing the said cover. Image recording device. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second operation unit is an operation key operable by a user. The image recording apparatus further includes communication means capable of communicating with a general-purpose computer,
6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second operation unit is an operation unit of a general-purpose computer, and the operation of the second operation unit is transmitted to the image recording apparatus via the communication unit. . The control means executes the power shutdown after stopping the nip release means when the power shutdown operation of the image recording apparatus is performed while the nip release means is operating. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1.

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